Eco-friendly register

ABSTRACT

An eco-friendly register ( 100 ) is provided herein. The eco-friendly register ( 100 ) includes a grill assembly ( 102 ) having a plurality of vents. The eco-friendly register ( 100 ) further includes a housing ( 104 ) having a butterfly ( 106 ), the butterfly ( 106 ) having a powered blade ( 107 ) and unpowered blade ( 108 ) that are rotatable from a first position to a second position to open or close supply of air through the plurality of vents. The eco-friendly register ( 100 ) further includes a linkage ( 120 ) coupled with the powered blade ( 107 ) and the unpowered blade ( 108 ), the linkage ( 120 ) is configured to slide horizontally from a first wall to a second wall of housing ( 104 ), based on rotation of the powered blade ( 107 ) from the first position to the second position, the linkage ( 120 ) further configured to rotate the unpowered blade ( 108 ) from the first position to the second position, based on the sliding. The eco-friendly register ( 100 ) further includes a motor ( 110 ) configured to rotate the powered blade ( 107 ) from the first position to the second position to open or close supply of air through the vents, and a receiver ( 116 ) configured to wirelessly receive instructions and control operation of the motor ( 110 ) based on the instructions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention, generally relate to regulating temperatures inside a room, and in particular relate to a register to control the temperature inside the room.

BACKGROUND

Registers are typically found in most of traditional home heating and cooling systems, and control flow of cold/hot air into a room. Registers are typically connected with a central air condition system (for example, Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioner (HVAC) system) that provides cold/hot air for regulating temperature inside the room. The central air condition system is also typically connected to a thermostat that enables a user to set temperature, and accordingly controls operations of the central air condition system by switching on or off it for the entire house.

However, one of problem associated with conventional system is that only one thermostat controls temperature of whole house. The thermostat is typically placed inside a family room, and hence furnace is switched on/off by the thermostat based on family room temperature. There is no mechanism in conventional system to consider input from any other room (for example, bedroom) for switching on/off of the furnace. Due to this, distribution of heat is not uniform in the house thereby causing uneven heating in bedrooms. Further, it is possible that at night, family room may continue to heat even if no one is there.

Above problem in the conventional system is due to the fact that ducts/vents of all registers in the house remain open. The ducts of the conventional registers of such systems can be closed manually only, which is cumbersome for the users. Further, conventional registers keep on using powers even when a particular room has reached a desired temperature as they are dependent upon temperature of other rooms as well. This waste power, making maintaining temperature inside the room costly and environment unfriendly.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved register for controlling temperature of a room that is convenient to use by the user, and is environment friendly.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an eco-friendly register (100) is provided herein. The eco-friendly register (100) includes a grill assembly (102) having a plurality of vents. The eco-friendly register (100) further includes a housing (104) having a butterfly (106), the butterfly (106) having a powered blade (107) and unpowered blade (108) that are rotatable from a first position to a second position to open or close supply of air through the plurality of vents. The eco-friendly register (100) further includes a linkage (120) coupled with the powered blade (107) and the unpowered blade (108), the linkage (120) is configured to slide horizontally from a first wall to a second wall of housing (104), based on rotation of the powered blade (107) from the first position to the second position, the linkage (120) further configured to rotate the unpowered blade (108) from the first position to the second position, based on the sliding. The eco-friendly register (100) further includes a motor (110) configured to rotate the powered blade (107) from the first position to the second position to open or close supply of air through the vents, and a receiver (116) configured to wirelessly receive instructions and control operation of the motor (110) based on the instructions.

The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some aspects of embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a perspective view of an open eco-friendly register and a closed eco-friendly register respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view of an open eco-friendly register and a closed eco-friendly register respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B illustrate exploded views of an eco-friendly register, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates wireless communication between an eco-friendly register and a thermostat, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a perspective view and side view of an open eco-friendly register respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective view and side view of a closed eco-friendly register, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a perspective view of butterfly of an open eco-friendly register and closed eco-friendly register respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrates replacement of a battery of an eco-friendly register by a user, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a battery of an eco-friendly register, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers to any process or operation done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be “material”.

FIG. 1A illustrates the perspective view of an open eco-friendly register (100), and FIG. 1B illustrates the perspective view of a closed eco-friendly register (100). FIG. 2A illustrates bottom view of an open eco-friendly register (100), and FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom view of a closed eco-friendly register (100). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the register (100) provides cold or hot air to a room and regulates temperature of the room. In an embodiment, the register (100) is connected to a central air conditioning system (such as HVAC system) that provides hot or cold air to the register. Further, in an embodiment, each room of a house may have one or two such registers depending upon size of the room. For example, larger rooms, such as living rooms, family rooms, etc., may have two or even more than two registers.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the eco-friendly register (100) includes a grill assembly (102) and housing (104). The grill assembly (102) includes multiple grills and ducts/vents between these grills, as shown in the figure. The central heating and air conditioning system (such as HVAC system) provides heating and cooling air to these ducts. The grill assembly (102) is configured to be fitted upon the housing 104. In an embodiment, the grill assembly (102) and the housing (104) may be made of a plastic or metal or any other suitable material. Further, in an embodiment, the grill assembly (102) may have multiple colours. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user may choose colour of the grill assembly as per his preferences.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing (104) includes a butterfly (106), which includes a pair of blades (or vanes) that can be opened or closed automatically by the register (100), to adjust the amount of air that flows through the register (100). In an embodiment, the butterfly (106) includes a powered blade (107) and unpowered blade (108). In an embodiment, the blades may be made of a plastic or metal or any other suitable material.

Further, the eco-friendly register (1000 includes a motor (110) that is configured to rotate the powered blade (107) of the butterfly (106). Further, in an embodiment, the eco-friendly register includes a battery (112) which powers the motor (110) to drive the blades (108) of the butterfly (106). In another embodiment, the motor (110) may be powered directly from AC power plug of a house or office.

Further, the eco-friendly register (100) includes a cover (114) having a receiver (116). The receiver (116) of the eco-friendly register (100) is configured to communicate and receive instruction wirelessly (for example, through RF signals) from a transmitter of a thermostat (500) (as shown in FIG. 5). In an embodiment, the thermostat (500) may be operated by a user to set temperature of the room, as per his comfort and preferences. In an embodiment, the thermostat (500) includes a display (502) that is configured to show set point temperature to the user. In one embodiment, the display (502) also shows the current room temperature. In an embodiment, a temperature sensor (not shown in figure) may measure the temperature of the air in the room and display the current room temperature on the display (502).

Once, the user has set a temperature on the thermostat, the transmitter of the thermostat (500) communicates the instructions to the receiver of the eco-friendly register (100) to control opening and closing of the blades (108) of the butterfly (106), according to a current temperature of the room and set temperature of the thermostat by the user. According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the room temperature is above or below the set point temperature set by the user, then the register (100) switches on the motor (110) and causes the blades of the butterfly (106) to open so that the air flow comes to the room and the room temperature becomes equal to the set temperature desired by the room. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter of the thermostat (500) and the receiver of a particular register (100) work at a particular frequency. Hence, if there are multiple registers inside a room or house, they'll not interfere with each other and can work simultaneously.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates top view and side view of the open eco-friendly register (100), respectively. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates top view and side view of the closed eco-friendly register (100), respectively. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrates connection between a linkage and blades of the butterfly (106) of the eco-friendly register (100). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor (110) is coupled with one of the blades (107) (i.e., powered blade) via a shaft (118). Hence, when the motor (110) rotates, that particular blade (107) (i.e., powered blade) also rotates. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the both of the powered blade (107) and unpowered blade (108) are coupled with a linkage (120), as shown in the FIGS. 8A and 8B. In an embodiment, the linkage (120) is configured to act as limit switch.

In an embodiment, when the motor (110) rotates, one of the blades (107) (powered blade) also rotate due to the rotation of the shaft (118). Due to rotation of the powered blade (107), the attached linkage (120) with the powered blade (107) is configured to slide. In an embodiment, the sliding linkage (120) is configured to rotate the remaining blade (i.e. unpowered blade 108), as the linkage (120) is coupled with the unpowered blade (108) as well, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. After, both of the blades (powered blade 107 as well unpowered blade 108) have completed a rotation of ‘90’ degree, the linkage (120) hits a wall of the housing (104), and hence cannot slide further. Further, hitting of the housing wall by the linkage (120) causes a trigger to cut off motor power, thereby opening of the register and providing cold/hot air to the room, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

When the room temperature has reached to the set point temperature by the user, the register (110) is configured to close the blades of the butterfly (106) by switching on the motor (110) again. When the motor is switched on, it rotates the powered blade (107) (coupled with the shaft of the motor) in an opposite direction. Further, the rotation of the powered blade (107) is configured to slide the linkage (120) again in the opposite direction. In an embodiment, the sliding linkage (120) is configured to rotate the unpowered blade (108). After, both of the powered blade (107) and the unpowered blade (108) have completed a rotation of ‘90’ degree, the linkage (120) hits a wall of the housing (104) again, and hence cannot slide further. Further, hitting of the housing wall by the linkage (120) causes a trigger to cut off motor power, thereby closing of the register and stopping cold/hot air in the room, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 9 illustrates replacing of a battery of the register (100) by a user. FIG. 10 illustrates the battery. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery may be easily replaced by the user. In an embodiment, the battery is exposed once the user opens the door (902). Further, the user may use pull tab (904) to take out the battery from the housing and may easily replace the old battery with new battery.

The eco-friendly register (100) advantageously provides a register which automatically opens and closes blades of the butterfly to open or close supply of air into the room, without requiring manual effort of user. Hence, the eco-friendly register provides convenience to the user and adds to the user comfort. Further, the eco-friendly register saves power by closing the blades of the register at right time, i.e., when temperature of the room is at desired temperature (as required by a user), and not dependent on temperature of other rooms (like living room). Further, the user can set temperature of his/her room according to his/her choice. Further, individual register of various rooms inside house can be individually controlled, thereby providing uniform heating/cooling to all rooms or heating/cooling as desired by users of those rooms. Further, the central system (for example, HVAC system) may save power as register of one room will not remain open due to temperature of other room. Further, since transmitter and receiver of a particular register work at a particular frequency, they'll not interfere with each other and can work simultaneously.

The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An eco-friendly register (100) comprising: a grill assembly (102) having a plurality of vents; a housing (104) having a butterfly (106), the butterfly (106) having a powered blade (107) and unpowered blade (108) that are rotatable from a first position to a second position to open or close supply of air through the plurality of vents; a linkage (120) coupled with the powered blade (107) and the unpowered blade (108), the linkage (120) is configured to slide horizontally from a first wall to a second wall of housing (104), based on rotation of the powered blade (107) from the first position to the second position, the linkage (120) further configured to rotate the unpowered blade (108) from the first position to the second position, based on the sliding; a motor (110) configured to rotate the powered blade (107) from the first position to the second position to open or close supply of air through the vents; and a receiver (116) configured to wirelessly receive instructions, and control operation of the motor (110) based on the instructions.
 2. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 1, wherein the receiver (116) is configured to receive instructions from a transmitter of a thermostat (500).
 3. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 2, wherein the thermostat (500) comprises a display (502) having a set point temperature to be set by a user.
 4. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 3, wherein the thermostat (500) having a temperature sensor that displays current room temperature on the display (502).
 5. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 4, wherein if the temperature set by the user is less than the current room temperature, the transmitter is configured to send instruction to the receiver (116) to open the blades (108) to allow air inside the room.
 6. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 1, wherein the motor (110) is coupled with the powered blade (107) via a shaft (118).
 7. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 1, wherein the linkage (120) is configured to act as limit switch.
 8. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 1, wherein the motor (110) is switched off when the linkage (120) hits the wall of the housing (104) during the horizontal slide.
 9. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 1, further comprising a battery (112) to power the motor (110).
 10. The eco-friendly register (100) of claim 9, wherein the battery (112) is replaceable by a user. 